USA demands Russia to close consulate in San Francisco

The U.S. Department of State said that the U.S. is closing the Russian consulate in the city of San Francisco, and two consular facilities in Washington and New York.

As reported by Interfax, the State Department also said that Washington complied with Moscow’s demand for a reduction in the diplomatic corps in Russia.

The statement says that the USA is ready for further measures against the Russian Federation, but they hope that it can be avoided.

Washington notes that this is the way the USA restores parity in diplomatic presence in both countries. Now, Russia and the United States will have three consulates each. However, the USA does not demand a reduction in the number of diplomatic personnel.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was notified about the forthcoming measures by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.